L-R: Rev. Charles Epps, Mrs. Willie Mae Jackson, Sen. Darrell Jackson, Richland County Councilwoman Cheryl English, Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown, Richland County Treasurer Kendra Dove, Councilman Paul Livingston, Sheriff Leon Lott, and others during the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Station at Congaree Pointe. By Nicole H. Holland
Last week, over 150 people gathered just north of Bluff and Atlas Roads for the Groundbreaking of The Station at Congaree Pointe. During this ceremony held by Richland County, the Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc., the City of Columbia, and Cooperative Health, community leaders, a host of elected officials, and members from neighborhoods throughout the Bluff Road corridor gathered to recognize the work being done and those who helped make the vision a reality.
Richland County is currently constructing the County’s newest magistrates’ office and a sheriff’s substation. The Station at Congaree Pointe will also feature a healthcare center in partnership with Cooperative Health, a marketplace offering fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a building that will host five commercial kitchens and a space for food trucks. Additionally, the City of Columbia Police Department’s Southeast Region Headquarters will also be located on-site. This 23-acre site is located just southeast of Interstate 77, on Bluff Road near Atlas Road (3626-3650 Bluff Road). It is approximately four miles south of Williams-Brice Stadium and just north of Congaree National Park, making it one of Columbia’s gateways.
Even though this corridor serves as a gateway into the City of Columbia and the state’s only national park, as many of the speakers referenced during last Wednesday’s event, economic development has not come easily, and projects such as this have been a long time in coming. Elected officials and community leaders have been working for decades to develop underutilized land and bring economic growth and development to this neglected city corridor. According to Senator Darrell Jackson, who was recognized for his tireless advocacy and vision for the area, “The vision didn’t start with me,” emphasized Jackson. People like Julius Murray, my father, Bishop A.C. Jackson, Laura Jefferson, and Bernice G. Scott all helped ensure that this area was not forgotten.” Jackson further detailed the work of Paul Mitchell (who grew up in the area), Chairman of Optus Bank, in helping to secure the land, bringing entities together, and ensuring that this parcel of land was used for commercial development.
According to Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson, “This project is transformational . . . for the people who are here, the community members here. It warms my heart because some of them truly have been waiting for quite a while to see these
types of services in this area, and they won’t have to travel so far for them anymore, particularly seniors.” This point was underscored as Senator Jackson shared the words of Laura Jefferson, a long-time community leader and advocate who was instrumental in establishing sewer connectivity, lighting, and sidewalks in the residential communities along Bluff Road. ‘Son,’ she said, ‘You can’t say they’ve forgotten us; they send us property tax bills every year. They haven’t forgotten us, but they have neglected us’. “For years”, said Jackson, “Laura Jefferson spoke to me about the need for basic necessities in our community.” She said, ‘Darrell, I pray that elderly people won’t have to go to other people’s communities to see a doctor. I pray that one day they will have what I never had, and [that’s the opportunity] to buy groceries in their own community’,” recounted Jackson.
Although this corridor has been generally underserved for some time, the last two decades have seen the addition of several student housing projects, a truck stop, two Dollar General stores, and enhancements to the Circle K Gas Station and convenience store on the corner of Bluff and Atlas Roads. While these additions have attracted new businesses, residents still find themselves traveling outside their community for basic necessities, such as fresh food, fruits, vegetables, medicine, and healthcare. The Station at Congaree Pointe will change that. Richland County’s Magistrate Office and Sheriff’s Substation is the first building to be constructed and is due to open as early as May 2026.
For more information about The Station at Congaree Pointe, visit www.thestationatcongareepointe.com
Brandon’s accomplishment stands as an inspiring example of how young people are embracing financial education at an early age. Congratulations to Brandon on this distinguished honor!
